| Early Treatment |
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A commonly asked question is "when should I bring my child in for an orthodontic evaluation?" The recommendation from the American Association of Orthodontics is to have your child evaluated no later than the age of 7. By this age, most children have a mix of adult and baby teeth and developing orthodontic problems become easy to spot by the Orthodontist. Many times this initial exam will reveal minor (if any) problems and Dr. DeWitt may elect to monitor your child's dental development by placing them on a periodic observation schedule, thus giving the parent peace of mind. In other instances severe, developing orthodontic problems may be diagnosed, requiring early intervention. Early treatment may be indicated in the following situations: crossbite, openbite, severe overbite, severe crowding, facial imbalances and for self esteem, to name a few. Often times these early, interceptive treatments are considered "Phase I" treatment which is usually followed by a "Phase II" comprehensive treatment once all of the baby teeth have fallen out. Interceptive treatment (or Phase I ) benefits patients by influencing jaw growth in a positive manner, improving eruption patterns by preserving or gaining space for erupting teeth, correcting harmful oral habits, improving function and stability, reducing the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, improving esthetics and self esteem, and shorten treatment time of possible necessary future Phase II orthodontic procedures. Even a youngster wants to look and feel good, so before the age of 7, schedule an orthodontic exam and evaluation for your child. |